Here's an article on Venezuelan President Chavez and folk music:

VENEZUELAN MUSIC

Mon Oct 1, 4:32 PM ET

CARACAS (AFP) - President Hugo Chavez has released a CD of traditional Venezuelan folk music that features him singing, and which will be distributed free inside the country, presidential sources said.

The CD, titled "Canciones de Siempre" which roughly translates to "Songs For All Time," includes tunes that Chavez has sung during his regular Sunday "Hello, President" television and radio program.

At the close of each broadcast, Chavez regularly sings folk songs along with guest musicians and dancers.

Sources close to Chavez said the CD will be available free in Venezuela.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20071001/en_afp/lifestylevenezuelamusicchavezoffbeat_071001203208

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That sparked my interest. Since I know next to nothing about Venezuelan folk music, I decided to go looking for more information. And then I decided to share what I found on a Mudcat thread. Hopefully, others here will share any information they know or that they find on the subject of Chavez's radio show and his support of folk music, and on the general subject of Venezuelan music.

Btw, I looked but didn't find any previous Mudcat threads on either of these subjects. But then again, Mudcat's search engine is not fully operational. If anyone can point to previously existing Mudcat threads or posts on Venezuelan music, please post those links in this thread.

Thanks in advance!